trial of strength; test of one's strength (stamina)
to compare; to make a comparison; to compete; to vie
standard; basis; criterion; norm; reference; datum
essential; substantial; substantive; intrinsic
brow; glabella; middle forehead; area between the eyebrows
to wrinkle up (one's eyebrows, one's nose); to furrow; to crimple
ingenious idea; excellent plan; bright idea
to feel around for; to fumble for; to investigate; to probe into; to explore (parts unknown); to enjoy (natural beauty)
strategist; tactician; schemer
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
to beg; to ask; to request; to invite
foolishness; silliness; stupidity; (arch.) I; (arch.) me
emperor (of Japan); mikado
method; process; manner; way; means; technique
cooperation; collaboration
condition; assumption; intention; intent; premise (in logic)
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
this world; this life; world of the living
everything; anything; nothing
give-and-take; give and take
to melt (and become soft or liquid); to be enchanted (by); to be charmed; to be bewitched
to feel comforted; to be in good spirits; to feel better; to trifle with; to fool around with
for (e.g. "she dances well for an eight-year old"); considering it's (something or someone)
to lend an ear to; to listen to
very interesting; of great interest
any more; any further; any better; any longer
happiness; good fortune; luck; blessing
freely; generously; liberally; ungrudgingly; unsparingly
moderate; reserved; conservative; humble; mild-mannered; self-effacing
smallish; on the small side; somewhat small; short swing of a bat, racquet, etc.
inquiry into; enquiry into; prying (into); investigation; search; exploration
crime; sin; penalty; sentence; fault; responsibility
peculiarity; uniqueness; characteristic
cheese; tee (piping); T-joint; cheese (said when taking a photograph)
maturing; ripening; aging; ageing; curing; fermenting
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
poor; meagre; meager; feeble; scanty; shabby
in spite of; nevertheless; although; despite; no matter the; regardless of
opening (one's mouth) wide; saying "aah"; crying loudly; wailing; bawling
mochi soaked in water (to protect against mold); rice cakes preserved in water
cool; chilly; feeling nice and cold
near; close; beside; vicinity; proximity; besides